July 21, 1994 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 17577 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ISRAELI TERRORIST GROUPS What legislation, if any, is needed? ship, and this does have a bearing on some of Is there any precedent for action in the the issues you raised. United States against groups which espouse We would like to make clear that the U.S. HON. LEE H. HAMILTON terrorism overseas? Government strongly opposes not only ter­ OF INDIANA What effect would the proposed ban on pro­ rorism, but activities in support of terrorist IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES viding material support to terrorists, cur­ groups, regardless of the professed cause or Thursday, July 21, 1994 rently pending in the Senate Amendment to the nationality or ethnic background of the H.R. 2333, the State Department Authoriza­ groups and their supporters. The extent to Mr. HAMIL TON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw tion bill, have on efforts to curtail these which the U.S. Government can deal with to the attention of my colleagues my recent groups' fundraising activities? some of these activities, however, is limited correspondence with the Department of State What other groups might be affected by under existing law. on the subject of Israeli terrorist groups oper­ the adoption of this legislation? In response to your specific questions: Are there potential First Amendment 1. We oppose activities in the United ating within the United States. Earlier. this States in support of terrorist violence over­ year, I wrote the Department to inquire about problems with restricting the fundraising ac­ tivities of these groups? seas. Attacks by terrorists are crimes re­ United States policy towards two Jewish set­ gardless of the motivations of the terrorists. To what extent would such restrictions in­ We take seriously the Israeli government's tler organizations, Kach and Kahane Chai, volve curtailing the ability of members of which have been outlawed by the Israeli Gov­ designation of these groups and others as these organizations to enter the United terrorist organizations, just as we do when ernment. Despite their outlaw status in Israel, States? other governments reach similar conclusions these groups continue to operate and raise 4. What consideration has been given to about groups operating in their countries. Of funds freely in the United States. I am includ­ curtailing or targeting: violations of the course we make our own assessments and we ing the State Department's preliminary re­ Foreign Agents Registration Act; violations are currently reviewing the matter with sponse as well as its final response. I hope of certain organizations' tax-exempt status; other agencies to determine what steps can illegal transfers of funds overseas; or immi­ my colleagues find this correspondence of in­ be taken under U.S. law. gration infractions. 2. The federal agencies involved in these terest. I appreciate your consideration of this matters include the Departments of State, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, matter and your response to these questions. Justice, and Treasury, and the Internal Rev­ Washington, DC, March 18, 1994. I look forward to your early reply. enue Service. Although there is no working Hon. wARREN M. CHRISTOPHER, With best regards, group per se, all appropriate elements of the Secretary, Department of State, Sincerely, Executive Branch are ln close cooperation on Washington, DC. LEE H. HAMILTON, this matter. The State Department, which is DEAR SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: I write to Chairman. the lead agency in international terrorism inquire about U.S. policy toward the activi­ matters, has taken the initiative in starting ties, including fundraising, in the United U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, these particular interagency consultations. States of Israeli groups identified by the Washington, DC, March 31, 1994. Insofar as the enforcement of U.S. domestic Government of Israel· as terrorist organiza­ Hon. LEE H. HAMILTON, laws is concerned, the Justice Department tions. has the lead. Other federal agencies with an As you know, on March 13, Israel outlawed Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives. interest are the Treasury Department, in two Jewish settler organizations, Kach and DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN : Thank you for your connection with overseas and domestic fi­ Kahane Cha!, which have been responsible letter of March 18, regarding U.S. policy to­ nancial transactions, and the Internal Reve­ for a number of violent incidents in the West ward activities in the United States by Is­ nue Service, in connection with the enforce­ Bank. Many members of these organizations raeli groups identified by the Government of ment of U.S. tax laws. are U.S. immigrants to Israel, and I under­ Israel as terrorist organizations. 3. Federal agencies are considering all stand these groups maintain offices and sig­ We are working to provide a full response available laws, including those relating to nificant fundraising operations in this coun­ to the many issues and questions you raised, the activities mentioned in your fourth ques­ try. We may now find ourselves in a situa­ some of which are still under study and re­ tion. The Foreign Agents Registration Act tion in which groups defined by the Israeli quire coordination with the Justice Depart­ may be of limited utility in combating ter­ Government as terrorist organizations and ment and other agencies. We will get back to rorism because of its various limitations and prohibited from operating in Israel, have you quickly with as comprehensive a re­ also because it can be complied with through the simple acts of registration and reporting. safe haven and can organize and fundraise sponse as possible. If in the meantime we can here in the United States. Other laws, such as those involving the ille­ I would like to know your views on this be of further assistance on this issue, please gal transfers of funds or immigration infrac­ issue, the status of interagency discussions do not hesitate to contact us. tions, are potentially more useful law en­ on this matter, and where you see United Sincerely, forcement tools ln this context, but depend States policy heading. In addition, I would WENDY R. SHERMAN, on law enforcement officials being able to appreciate your responses to the following Assistant Secretary. detect violations and develop evidence suffi­ questions: Legislative Affairs. cient to support prosecutions. 1. What is U.S. policy on activities in the The Administration has not yet deter­ United States of groups who advocate vio­ U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, mined what, if any, new legislation would be lence overseas? Washington, DC, May 16, 1994. useful, and ls therefore not proposing any What are the implications for U.S. policy Hon. LEE H. HAMILTON. new initiatives at this time. In this regard, to have certain groups which operate in the Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House as reflected in one of your sub-questions United States designated as terrorist organi­ of Representatives. under Question #3 which asked about poten­ zations by Israel? DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in further re­ tial First Amendment problems with legisla­ 2. Which agencies are involved in the inter­ sponse to our March 31 letter regarding your tion restricting the fund raising activities of agency working group that is looking at this questions of March 18 about the implications these groups, we are conscious that any leg­ issue? for U.S. policy and laws of Israel's designa­ islation in this area must take into account How are these various agencies coordinat­ tion of Kach and Kahane Chai as terrorist or­ relevant First Amendment considerations. ing their efforts? ganizations. I am responding on behalf of the The Senate amendment to the State De­ Which agency has primary jurisdiction Secretary and we also have discussed this re­ partment Authorization Bill, mentioned in over this matter? sponse with the Departments of Justice and your question, would make it a federal of­ 3. What are the preliminary findings of the Treasury. fense to provide, within the United States, interagency working group? In your letter you accurately observed funds, financial services, weapons, docu­ What current laws can be applied against that many members of these organizations . ments, or the other forms of material sup­ these groups to curtail any activities incon­ are U.S. immigrants to Israel. We would also port for specific acts of terrorism which vio­ sistent with U.S. policy? note that many maintain American citizen- late U.S. law. It was carefully drafted in that e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. 17578 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS July 21, 1994 manner to minimize disputes over potential from Mcleod lnformary. Mr. Stokes is retired government work for the people than about First Amendment problems that could arise from the railroad. grabbing headlines for himself. from broader efforts to ban fund-raising on Mr. Speaker, I join the Stokes' family and Under his leadership, the Raleigh city gov­ behalf of particular organizations or types of ernment reached out to every group and seg­ organizations. Working with congressional friends in wishing them many more happy staff, State Department representatives dis­ years together. ment of the community. Avery never shirked cussed and helped refine the scope of this his responsibility to lead and to make the amendment with House staff members before tough choices, but he always made sure that it was first passed by the House in 1991. We IN HONOR OF ROBERT D. all citizens had the opportunity to be heard believe the amendment would be a very use­ METZGAR and to have their views and interests consid­ ful step in our efforts to counter support for ered seriously.